medal, Indian General Service Medal (1854-95), medals, Military, Britain, Royal Navy

medal, Indian General Service Medal (1854-95), medals, Military, Britain, Royal Navy

Artist: London, mint; Date(s): 1854 - 1895; Classification(s): medal, Indian General Service Medal (1854-95), medals, Military, Britain, Royal Navy; Acquisition: loan by Cambridge in America, 2005 [LW.0139] Description: The Army of India Medal's issue in 1849 having marked the previous half-century's combats in the region, further conflicts in the 1850s led in 1854 to the design and issue of a General Service Medal for the theatre, for which bars would be issued as each new campaign merited. The first campaign for which this medal was awarded was the renewal of conflict between British India and the Burmese kingdom of Ava, after points of dispute over the Treaty of Yandaboo that had ended the First Anglo-Burmese War flared into open conflict, despite Burmese efforts at conciliation. A rapid naval campaign ensued and British forces annexed the Burmese province of Pegu, which became British Lower Burma. King Pagin Min of Ava, who did not recognise the annexation, was nonetheless powerless to prevent it, and this led to his deposition and replacement by his half-brother Mindon Min. This medal was awarded to Joshua Sheppard, Ship's Boy in the 5th-rate frigate HMS Fox. Lester Watson purchased the medal at some point before 1928.

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